It is not a highlight that the Netherlands and the USA offer in the first round of 16 of this World Cup. The favorite lays the foundation for moving into the top eight early on. And Oranje quickly finds an answer as the dedicated Americans come back into play.
Again lackluster, but again mercilessly effective: The Dutch dream of a first star continues thanks to two almost identical goals. Elftal won the World Cup Round of 16 against outsiders USA 3-1 (2-0) and extended the farewell tour of outgoing Bonds coach Louis van Gaal. For the seventh time, the Netherlands are among the top eight teams in the world, and despite three appearances in the final, they have never won the World Cup.
Memphis Depay (10′) and Daley Blind (45′) each scored from a completely free stand when Denzel Dumfries played the ball perfectly flat into the backcourt from the right. Dumfries himself made everything clear (81st) after ex-Schalke player Haji Wright (76th) was able to shorten the gap with a curious goal. “It’s a big win for us,” said Dumfries. “We can still play better. But we’re a very strong team and we’ll see what’s possible.”
The Netherlands went unbeaten for the 19th time in a row. For the offensively too harmless US boys, the dream of the second quarterfinals after 2002 burst, for the third time in a row the first knockout round was the end of the line. In four years they are hosting the World Cup for the second time since 1994.
They progressed confidently, but were scolded at home for “sleepwalking” (Telegraaf) football – that was the mood in the Netherlands after the preliminary round. “See you in the final,” said van Gaal, who retired after the World Cup, to a complaining journalist. Only attacker Cody Gakpo with three goals in three games provided arguments for this thesis in the group phase.
Ex-Dortmunder Christian Pulisic, who was fit in time after suffering a bruised pelvis, had carried the Americans through the preliminary round with strong performances. And after just 130 seconds, the hopeful failed alone in front of goal due to a brilliant foot defense by Andries Noppert. In general, the US boys started very briskly in front of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, the Netherlands could hardly free themselves from the high pressure.
But when this was done in a controlled manner for the first time, Elftal immediately took the lead. After quickly bridging midfield, Dumfries put the ball into the backcourt, where Depay completed the free-standing shot into the far corner. As a result, the favorite got better control of the game in front of 44,846 spectators at the Khalifa International Stadium.
In the game against the ball, Virgil van Dijk and Co. became more grippy, and their own phases of possession increased. But like in the preliminary round, they couldn’t really do much with it, there was a lack of speed and esprit. The 2:0 fell out of nowhere – and was a copy of the 1:0.
After the change, the game became a little livelier, the goal scenes increased. The USA now tried with full commitment on the offensive. First Gakpo cleared on his own goal line against Tim Ream (49′), then Dumfries against Wright (75′). A short time later, the ex-Schalke player hit magically with a hoe lob. But the strong Dumfries nipped the US hopes in the bud with a volley.